His Excellency

George Washington

By: Joseph J. Ellis

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Length: 14 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed author Joseph J. Ellis penned the National Book Award-winning American Sphinx and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Founding Brothers, a fixture on The New York Times best seller list for an entire year, and one of the most popular history books of all time. Now this master historian turns his attention to the most exalted American hero, Founding Father and first President George Washington.

Washington has always been a larger-than-life enigmatic figure. On the day he was given command of the continental army, he recorded only the temperature and where he ate dinner in his journal. But recently, his papers were catalogued at the University of Virginia. Ellis had primary access to the 90-volume papers, allowing him to paint a thorough and fascinating portrait.

From the French and Indian War to Mount Vernon, from the American Revolution to the presidency, Ellis delivers what will stand the test of time as the definitive biography of the greatest American icon.

©2004 Joseph J. Ellis (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Non-Fiction (unabridged), 2005
• 2005 Quill Award Nominee

"Ellis offers a magisterial account of the life and times of George Washington [that] leaves readers with a deeper sense of the man's humanity." (Publishers Weekly)
"Mr. Ellis gives us a succinct character study while drawing on his extensive knowledge of Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary history to strip away the accretions of myth and contemporary extemporizing that have grown up around his subject....An incisive portrait of the man." (The New York Times)

Excellent

Here’s the sad truth….in this day and age, you will struggle to find a book that doesn’t move into a critique of general Washington using today’s perspective of wokeness. This author avoided that nonsense. He paints a ln honest picture of the man from youth to death. A picture that shows his nuance. His shortcomings. His ultimate strengths. The man was a pillar and is still the greatest President to hold the office, imo. This book is well worth your time.

A Very Good Read on Washington

I am a fan of great history and am very glad I found this book. While the subject may not have been covered with the depth I would most prefer, this is the best and most balanced book on Washington I have read. If you are not familiar with the real story of Washington (and who is?), I strongly recommend this book.

Good Book.

The audible part seemed to go a little slow. Good content, just wish the reader went a little faster.

Great Listen.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book if you're searching for a George Washington Biography. Nelson Runger did an awesome job reading. I tried other books but the narrators couldn't keep my interest. Excellent story of the man himself "George Washington". I highly recommend this audio book... looking at doing the John Adams Unabridged read by Runger next.

Good, not great

The author's voice seems to come through more than the research. I just finished a different work on Theodore Roosevelt that was far more properly documented. Still, a good read. But I wouldn't make it my only read if you were looking for one book on Washington.

Extremely Interesting

Littered with fabulous detail as an assembly of lesser-known facts of the Father of this country. Well worth the time.

Very good on details and world building

Joseph Ellis is a fantastic historian. He brings to life moments in an amazing and immersive way.

The only point of contention is that sometimes he seems to minimize a person's faith background.

The Foundingest Father

As an avid fan of George Washington, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The honest and non-mythical portrayal of this great man was refreshing. The reader has a very pleasant voice and is an excellent reader. I did not give him five stars because I could hear him swallow! Very distracting.

A good listen

Liked the informative and interesting book. The performance was great, bringing life to the letters and speeches.

Wooden Teeth and Iron Man

This is my 4th Biography of the man and to me it was that of a peeling of the onion of the Man who will forever be seen as the Father of Americans. I come away with the sense that he guarded his character and legacy as strongly as he guarded the nation from self interest of power hungry men that always surround POWER. It is self interest that drive nations and men, not idealism or political ideology. This is a book that peaks into Washington the true man… I found it intriguing and enlightening!